cummings



(No'ModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- W. R. CUMMINGS. v

' SELF WAITING TABLE.

No. 524,056. Patented Aug. 7, 1894.

m: NORRIS vzrzas co., word-mum. msumbron, o c.

.. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WOODSON R. CUMMINGS, OF CRITZ, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TOWILLIAM K. VIA,

OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,056, dated August7, 1894.

Application filed January 30, 1894. Serial No. 498,502- (NO model.)

To col] whom it may concern.-

Be It known that I, WOODSON R. CUMMINGS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Critz, in the county ofPatrick and State of Virglnla, haveinvented a new and usefulSelfwhereina center-piece revolves above an ordinary stationary table.

7 The objects of my invention are to provide sucha table, which byreason of its construction is capable of serving, in addition to itsusual function, that of a safe or storage place for dishes, food, &;c.,when said table is not in use, and thus save the necessity of carrymgdlshes and food to and from cupboards or other storage places, and havethem accessible at the table. Furthermore, to provide for a convenientand safe support of a lamp; and for a brushing off of flies from thearticles of food supported by the table.

With these objects in view the invention conslsts in certain features ofconstruction hereinafter specified and particularly pointed out in theclaims. I

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of aself-waiting table embodylng my invention, the curved doors of thecompartment being swung open. vertical transverse sectional view of thetable. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the swiveling post.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

In the practice of my invention I arrange upon suitable supporting legs1 a preferably circular table-top 2, the same-being stationary, and Iconnect the legs 1 by side pieces 3 and angularly disposed cross pieces4. These cross pieces 4, together with the top 2, are provided with acentral circular perforation 5, and the lower cross-piece has a nut 6let into its upper side. Threaded in the nut 6 is an adj usting-screw'7, which may be operated by hand or by a suitable crank mechanism, asdesired, This screw is provided in its upper end with a conical cavity8.

9 designates a cylin drieal shaft which takes Fig. 2 is a into theperforation 5 of the table-top 2, and at its lower end is provided witha bearingpoint 10, which takes in the cavity of the ad- 3' lsting-screw. Above the cylindrical portion the shaft 9 is provided witha flange l1, and

above said flange is successively reduced to form rectangular portions13, 14 and 15. Cleats 16 are secured to the opposite sides of the flangelland support a circular disk-section 17, which is provided with acentral rectangular opening 18 that fits the lower rectangular portion15 of the shaft9.

A portion of the periphery of ,the disk-section 17 is removed, formingsemi-annular recesses 19, at diametrically opposite sides of which theperiphery is left intact, as shown. l-linged to the opposite ends of therecesses 19 and of greater width than the recesses are curved doors 20which are provided at intervals with knobs 21, whose shanks projectthrough the doors and are adapted to engage removably with sockets 22formed in the bottoms of the recesses 19.- Turn-buttons 23 are pivotedto that portion of the periphery of the disk-section left intact andare. adapted to engage overthe free ends of the doors 2O and thus lockthe same against opening. The

disk-section 17 is of less diameter than the stationary table-top 2, sothat a space remains upon the latter uncovered by the former and servesto support the plates and other table furnishings or articles that arelocated before the guests. By raising and lowering the disksection 17,which may be accomplished through the medium of the adj usting-screw 7,it will be seen that this section 17 may be made stationary and in anyevent the combining of the section 17 with the top 2 produces anintermediate compartment, access to which is had through the doors 21.The doors being opened the dishes and other table furnishings that arenecessarily employed may be conveniently stored in the compart- -ment,so that it is unnecessary to carry them back and forth between the tableand the cupboard, or other usual receptacle, whereby I save time andlabor in setting the table or returning the furnishings to their places.

The rectangular portion l t of the shaft 9 is received by acorresponding opening 24 formed in a disk-section 25 which is of lessdiameter than the section 17 and consequently exposes sufficient surfaceof the latter to recelaivg the edibles with which the table is supp reThe upper rectangular end 13 of the shaft 9 fits in a socket 26, whichis formed in the under side of a polygonal section 27, whose diameter isless than the disk-section 25, and the several sides of this polygonalsection are preferably provided with mirrors 28, by which the ediblescontained on the section 25 are.

reflected, as are also the table-articles, thus improving the generaleffect of the table. The polygonal section 27 is preferably surmountedby a cap or crown-piece 29, from diametrically opposite sides of whichthere project vertical posts 30, the lower tenoned ends of which aremortised, at 3 1, in the said cap or crown-piece. Horizontal arms 32extend in reverse directions from the upper ends of the posts andsupport fly-brushes 33, so that as the table revolves bringing variousedibles into position the fly-brushes serve to clear the table of flies.

A series of inverted L-shaped spring prongs 34 are located upon the capor crown-section 29, and are designed to embrace the base or bowl of alamp, so as to secure the same against being accidentally upset and forsupporting the lamp in a position where it will shed its light on allparts of the table.

As before stated the usual fixtures, such as the plates, knives, cups,saucers, &c., are designed to be supported by the table-top 2, which isstationary, while the edibles, such as meats, vegetables, &c., aresupported by the rotatable sections 17 and 25, and other dishes,

' be obvious that I have provided a very handvolving being accomplishedpreferably by the knobs with which the doors are at intervals suppliedand wherein a compartment 1s formed for the placing of the tablefurnishings or articles, and also such edibles as may be left over orare to be reused at the next meal. I

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a self-waitingtable, the combination with the circular base and its support, of asuperimposed revoluble section, the same combining with the base toproduce an intermediate compartment, and a door for closing thecompartment, substantially as specified.

2. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top andits support, of 3. revoluble section arranged above the same andcombining therewith to produce an intermediate compartment, doors forthe compartment, and means for raising and lowering the section,substantially as specified.

3. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top andits support, of a superimposed revoluble disk-section having the lowerportion of its periphery removed at opposite sides of oppositediametrical points, and the remaining portions left intact, the curveddoors hinged to one of those portions left intact, and fastening devicescarried bythe opposite portion, substantially as specified.

4. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top andits support, of a superimposed revoluble disk section having the lowerportion'of its periphery removed at opposite sides of oppositediametrical points, and the remaining portions left intact, the curveddoors hinged to one of those portions left intact, turn-buttonsarrangedon the remaining portion left intact, and the knobs arranged atintervals upon the doors and having shanks extending through the sameand removably engaging sockets formed in the bottoms of the recesses inthe periphery of the disk, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WOODSON. R. CUMMINGS.

Witnesses:

KING VIA, A. M. SCALES.

